Ubuntu 13.04 has been released, with the Linux 3.8.8 kernel, a faster and less resource hungry Unity desktop, LibreOffice 4.0, and much more. Ubuntu users will know where to get it, and you're looking for a new installation, have fun. Also fun: UbuntuKylin.

+1 from a linuxero who thinks that over-reliance on the repository system is one of the main issues of the Linux world.

This isn't really a problem with the repo system though... it's a problem with trying to run 3rd-party software that hasn't been tested/certified on the new version of the OS you're running.

Pretty much any big commercial software provider would be laughing at you if you ask for help running their applications on an unsupported OS. At best, they'll tell you to wait until they've certified it themselves, or they'll charge you big money for doing the certification ahead of schedule. Just try dealing with Oracle on something like this...